A healthy 31-year-old woman was given just hours to live after what she thought was a mild urinary tract infection turned deadly.
Lauren Carson, from Belfast, began feeling unwell in August after developing a UTI. Used to recurring infections, she started antibiotics and assumed it would pass. But within days, she was struck by excruciating back pain after returning from a holiday in Majorca. Believing she had pulled a muscle, she ignored it — until her GP urgently sent her to hospital. Hours later, Lauren went into septic shock. “I was told I had less than 24 hours to live without surgery,” she recalled.
Doctors discovered her infection had spread, forming kidney stones that triggered life-threatening sepsis. “As a woman, you just assume it’s a UTI — drink water, take antibiotics, and move on,” she said. But her immune system began attacking her organs, forcing emergency surgery that saved her life. “I never expected something so common to nearly kill me,” she added.
Now recovering, Lauren is sharing her story to raise awareness. “If antibiotics don’t work after three days, go back to your doctor,” she warned. “Don’t ignore tiredness, confusion, or pain — they could be signs of sepsis.”
UTIs affect millions each year, especially women, and are one of the leading causes of sepsis. Lauren’s message is simple but powerful: trust your instincts — your life may depend on it.
